06 December 2009

Researching my family history is a very emotional experience for me, as I’m sure it is for many researchers. Each newly discovered piece of information fills in another piece of the puzzle, but also presents you with more questions and creates even more empty spaces in that puzzle that is your family tree. Our family stories need to be told, and we were chosen by our ancestors to do just that...tell their stories. It is imperative that we record and preserve our family history. No one said it would be easy, but it is necessary. There are highs and lows, jackpot days and empty days, and many brick walls to tackle. It’s a roller coaster ride of emotions, and I love it all. Sometimes, however, I can't help but wonder about the things I'll never find, and....

Some Days I Just Wanna Cry!

For all the brick walls I’ll never break through
For all the documents I’ll never find
For all the burned courthouses where ashes held the answers I seek
For all the times no one took the time to write it down
For all those known only by their sex, age and race
For all those that died before anyone knew they were ever alive
For all those who survived with no clues left to trace
For all the photos with no name, date, or place
For all the lost memories, and those too ugly to share
For all the unidentifiable and unmarked graves
For all the cemeteries too unimportant to save
For all those ancestors I'll never know
For all those I find, but can’t prove they are mine....

11 comments:

Love! Love! That Annie Lee, my mom has it in a plaque with its own stand(she has a collection of them). I know how hard the research is and we come across all kinds of obstacles, but remember we are guided by the ancestors and when they want us to find that record or break that brick wall, they will let you know. Their story is for you to tell and no matter what it is they will guide you to tell it. Don't give up and continue in your research. Good Luck Sandra.Felicia

Sandra, What a beautiful post! And, thank you for including one of my very favorite prints! I don't own Blue Monday (yet) but I've always loved it. Your post did a beautiful job of expressing the way I feel about my research. I love that I've become a part of such and emotionally-connected blogging community! We'll hang in there together, through the good and the bad of it, won't we? :)

Sandra, What a beautiful post, you said it all for me perfectly, thank you!! Once again, right on purpose! As Felicia said, our ancestors guide us, I believe that too. And like Renate said, we are here for each other, we help and share, that's what this community is all about. I too love that I get to be a part of it.

Sandra,I love this post. It is worthy of being in a genealogy magazine, you should submit it. The picture of Blue Monday, just so moving...I had never seen it. And the words written, your poem, right from the heart. Thank you for this piece.

Thanks for all the great comments. I really appreciate them. Sometimes I just have to blow off a little stream at the frustration of it all. Although the process can be disheartening I will never give it up. Thanks for taking the time to read and share your comments, and words of encouragement.

Sandra, I'm catch up on posts tonight and I enjoyed this one. I am a fan of her art & I immediately recognized it, but even more so, I could relate so much to what you shared. Sometimes I just wonder...why doesn't everybody GET IT?;)

Thanks for introducing me to a new artist. This picture makes me feel tired, just worn out. I remember not only being shocked by the loss of life from Katrina but thinking about how many photos, documents and family trees were lost forever. My brick walls used to keep me up at night, literally but I am getting better at accepting that some things I will never know. At least that is what I keep telling myself.